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Noah Lyles has explained why he believes Asafa Powell was the most complete 100 meter runner to have ever exsisted.
American sprint sensation Noah Lyles has expressed his admiration for Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, calling him the most complete 100-meter runner in track and field history.
While Powell is often remembered for setting the world record twice in the 100 meters (9.77 and 9.74 seconds) and breaking the 10-second barrier an incredible 97 times, Lyles believes Powell’s true brilliance lies in his near-perfect execution of the race.
In an interview with The Final Leg, Lyles, an Olympic gold medalist and specialist in the 200 meters, explained why he holds Powell in such high regard despite his reputation for faltering on the biggest stages.
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“Truthfully? It's crazy when I say this because he's known as a choker, but it's also powerful. The man puts together perfect races,” Lyles said.
Lyles broke down Powell’s technique, praising his execution from start to finish. “His execution of the start, his reaction times, his acceleration, his transition—smooth. It's relaxed when he's not under pressure. And he finishes. It never fails,” he continued.
Powell, who retired from competitive sprinting in 2023, is widely regarded for his consistency on the track, having broken the 10-second barrier more than any other sprinter in history. He also holds the world record for the 100-yard dash (9.09 seconds) and became an Olympic champion as part of Jamaica’s 4x100 meters relay team in 2016.
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Reflecting on Powell’s achievements, Lyles added that Powell’s world record could have been even more impressive had circumstances allowed.
“Everybody who watches his race is like, ‘oh, his world record could have been so much greater.’ And he’s like, ‘yeah, it could have.’”
While Lyles acknowledges Powell’s talent, he also noted that his own build prevents him from fully emulating Powell’s sprinting style.
“When I look at his race, I’m like, ‘yeah, that man has what I consider one of the perfect models for sprinting in the 100.’ My problem is I'm not built like him, so I can't model myself after that.”
Asafa Powell may have retired, but his influence on the sport and the way sprinters like Lyles view the 100 meters continues to resonate.
For Lyles, Powell remains the ultimate example of what a sprinter should strive to be—someone who, when everything aligns, runs a race that is the very definition of perfection.
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